During a political gathering of the Convention des Congolais Unis (CCU) on Monday, August 3, 2026, Lambert Mende Omalanga offered his perspective on the ongoing security and humanitarian crisis gripping the Democratic Republic of Congo. The prominent CCU leader urged all Congolese citizens to set aside their differences and unite against what he described as an existential threat to the nation.
Mende Omalanga framed his message to CCU activists around the forward-looking question: “What does tomorrow hold?”
Presented as a call from the “Lumumbists of the CCU to the Nation,” his address delved extensively into the protracted security crisis that has plagued the Eastern RDC for decades.
Lambert Mende contended that global and regional geopolitical shifts have profoundly shaped the Congolese situation since 1996, contributing to the current instability.
Kigali held accountable
Lambert Mende directly accused Rwanda of being the primary instigator of the persistent unrest in Eastern RDC. He asserted that numerous armed groups operating in the region are, based on evidence presented in his discourse, proxies supported by Kigali.
He further highlighted the evolving justifications provided over the years by Rwandan President Paul Kagame for his country’s involvement in the DRC, initially citing the presence of the FDLR and the protection of the Kivu’s Tutsi community. According to Mende, these arguments have gradually morphed into territorial claims, which he deems incompatible with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“All is not irrevocably lost”
Despite the severe nature of the situation, the CCU’s top figure expressed optimism. He believes that the mounting diplomatic pressure on Kigali represents a favorable development for the DRC.
Mende specifically referenced US sanctions, suggesting they are instrumental in increasing pressure on the Rwandan regime. Lambert Mende also commended the voluntary disarmament process of the FDLR, presenting it as a significant step that, in his view, removes one of Kigali’s primary justifications for its forces’ presence in Eastern Congo.
National dialogue: CCU sets conditions
Regarding a potential inclusive national dialogue, Lambert Mende acknowledged a nascent convergence among the government, opposition, and civil society on the necessity of such a forum. However, for the CCU, the immediate priority must remain addressing the Rwandan aggression and strengthening national cohesion. This implies that any dialogue should primarily focus on developing and implementing mechanisms for preventing and protecting against terrorism, “regardless of its origin.”
Nevertheless, Lambert Mende expressed reservations about the participation of individuals who have been legally convicted or sanctioned by the international community for complicity with the aggressor. He also maintained that members of armed groups actively collaborating with Rwanda, who do not formally disassociate themselves, should be excluded from this forum.
Constitutional reform: Mende urges perspective on controversies
Constitutional reform also featured as a crucial aspect of his address. The former minister and government spokesperson under Joseph Kabila emphasized the need to differentiate between the adoption of a referendum law and the actual organization of a constitutional referendum. He reiterated that a referendum is a popular consultation, an established mechanism within constitutional democracy.
He further argued that states can adjust their political-institutional calendars when confronted with exceptional circumstances, citing examples like the United States during major 20th-century crises and Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict.
Tshisekedi’s continued leadership during aggression
Lambert Mende’s speech directly addressed the political future of President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi. The CCU maintains that as long as the Rwandan aggression against the RDC persists, the head of state should remain in office. Lambert Mende positioned Félix Tshisekedi as the only leader among the four heads of state since 1996 who, according to him, has undertaken significant political, military, and diplomatic actions against this aggression.
This stance emerges amidst fervent debate within the Congolese political class concerning constitutional reform and the nation’s institutional future.
“Our shared home is burning”
Continuing his plea for national cohesion, Lambert Mende implored Congolese citizens to temporarily sideline political disagreements, suggesting these could be addressed later. He stressed that the immediate focus must be on the security and survival of the Congolese state, particularly within the challenging humanitarian context.
The CCU leader notably highlighted the spread of the Ebola virus in areas located along the front lines separating Rwandan and Congolese forces in the country’s East.
A call for strategic alliance with the United States
In conclusion, Lambert Mende voiced his support for President Tshisekedi’s initiative to forge a strategic alliance between the DRC and the United States. He believes this partnership could bolster the resilience of the Congolese people and enable the nation to develop a robust power strategy against the threats it faces.
“Our shared home is burning,” Lambert Mende emphatically declared, urging Congolese people to transcend political quarrels and rally around the defense of territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
The message from the Lumumbists of the CCU thus serves as a powerful appeal for national unity, cohesion, and a concerted focus of Congolese efforts on resolving the security crisis.
“Long live the Democratic Republic of Congo, one and indivisible!” Lambert Mende Omalanga concluded.
